In the hours after Syrian government forces recaptured Palmyra from the Islamic State (IS) group on Sunday, images began to emerge that showed the extent of damage that had been wrought on the ancient city since it was occupied 10 months ago.

"I welcome the liberation of the Palmyra archeological site, martyr city inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which carries the memory of the Syrian people, and the values of cultural diversity, tolerance and openness that have made this region a cradle of civilisation," she said in a statement.